Mold clamping and pouring system



Sept. 13, 1949. G. w. FULLER 2,481,554

MOLD CLAMPING AND POURING SYSTEM Filed June 29, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l 919a ZU'FuZZe):

f/ M jg I 5 Sept. 13, 1949. 5, w, FULLER 2,481,654:

MOLD CLAMPING AND POURING- SYSTEM Filed June 29, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 5 0 egrge M1 2 Zer.

Patentecl Sept. 13, 1949 PATENT owner 1 jMQLDQLAMPING AND POURING SYSTEM George W. Fuller, Huntingtonlark, Calif., lases snn 'to- National Engineering Company, eChi- :cpgo, acorporation of Illinois Application June 29, 1944, Serial'No. 542,655

This invention relates to -a foundry gravity roller -mold conveyor unit provlded witha'mold clamps of simplified and-improved construction arranged in selected spaced-relationshipzon the conveyor 'frame and ineluding spring controlled clamping means'heneathwhi ch molds are moved at a pouring station to permit the clamping -means to exe'rt a-desiredpressure upon the mold flasks except the-sprues, ontherpressure means -1nay be made small-er ta engage-upon the sand in the mold flasks-to provide an improved method of mold pouring whereinithe mold:sandmis subjected .to predetermined-pressures. to hold the same in place against disruption during the pouring it ofthe molten metal into i the; sprues 1;00 R enter the mold cavities.

The improved .easily operated :mold clamps obviate the i use and :manual shanidilng of mold weights and permit the easy .replaeementsof the pressure control springs whereby selected .de-

sired pressures :may rhe applied .;to the molds when in registering positions with thexrespective :clamping.units:iormingrpart oietneunold pourin :system.

It is ran ;0biec t ,.of this: inyention; provide. an improved and simplified lvform or i undry .xnold conv yor mechanism iforze foundry .pourinanstamel m r bee iec edt then rel cs lieationef a pressure exerting means on a-, r nol d pron the c nten s 1 cf meld ob ate d sru tien not t e .rnold nd llr l g e melde rinace atien,

t is i rthfiIII QI? fi t'Q the-in ent n eo de r vi -r9 rme e nvevins mec anism w t m nua y i reebl spril g-s ntrflll .pre r apn ie 'l laminin meehen ms to appli a n on m ds, when;n ese lvrresitiened o t e l een eye m chan s 1?. m p ien-du s eu s eneret ens ituoetree acld tla meld u n a l-o tor is manu lly heldheav w ig t Still amthe ebieet cf the invent on s th PWWSiQR Q l P Q Q RQJQ-LPQH n-veyor m chanism mended with e mem ed clampin uni-tsso eonstructed :as;to, permitiseitradiustment ,to-; the: topmfa'mold; andlinuiudingzlcompnessible a means designedzto {haveea!compression-strength q 1 x i e i mount ot pressure desired to- 'be exerted against'the topofiamold.

-2 Claims. (01. 22-112) -a position over the shake-out box to A further object of the invention :is theprolvision of a moldpouring systfimwh Mug-molds advanced. upon a roller carrier; are adapted to be moved into predetermined:hOsitions-te register with lampin units havinecemzo e atedc amp in plates equipped with spring mechanisms designed to compress. atxpredeter ined DIQ IJ I-O indicate to an operator when the correct-presisures are applied to themqlds.

Another object of the invention is the provision of. a mold clamping mechanism wherein predetermined pressures may :be applied. O-tbfi top of e m d or user the-st rm thes nd i h old, y eem-eeerated means-coasting with .a resilient, member designedrtocem pnessrr -at a p determi e press re to inform an 4 e-nerater when the properpressure hasloeen.apphed-ltolthe me erl o d sa d o P e t is up on thereof when molten metal is poured' intosthe sprueof the mold. I

Still another object of the invention is ,the provision of an improved foundry mold clamp.- ns ni w e n a c m o e mold "clamping plate is equippedwith. a;pr essure.. spring and is mounted in such a waylthat theuclamping plate may adjust itself as it is moved intoclampling position to prevent disruption of the mold sand during a mold pouring operation.

It is an important object .of thisinventionrto provide a foundry moldpourin system including a gravity roller conveyor.mechanismlforfadvancing molds into mold clampingstations. having cam operated clamping platesequipped to apply predetermined pressures to .the molds to facilitate the pouring of molten metalvintothe mold sprues without any danger of disrupting the mold formations withinvthe copes andndraes of the mold flasks.

Other objects and features .of .thisrinvention will be apparent from the disclosures thespeclfication and the accompanying drawings.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary'topplan View of a foundry roller mold conveyor system equipped with improved mold clamp mechanisms embodying the principles of this invention, "andshowing one of the molds-released-and-advanced'into permit emptying of the mold.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary frontside-elevation of the roller mold conveyor-system shown in Figurewl.

ing mechanism shown in full lines in mold clamping positions and with said mechanisms illustrated by dotted lines in release positions to indicate the operation for releasing a mold after a pouring operation.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the mechanisms shown in Figure 3.

Figure5 a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of mold clamping bracket having vertically adjustable features for accommodating molds of different sizes.

As shown on the drawings:

The gravity roller mold conveyor mechanism comprises a frame consisting of two parallel outwardly facing channel rails or sills I supported in inclined positions by means of legs 2, having gripping brackets 3 secured thereto and shaped to engage over the lower flanges of the sills l to rigidly hold the means in place. Rotatably supported between the inclined frame sills l are a plurality of mold supporting and advancing rollers' l having the axles thereof rotatably journalled in suitable openings arranged in the frame sills to permit the tops of the rollers to project above the top flanges of the frame sills as shown in Figure 2. The roller axle supporting openings in one of the frame sills i-are lower than those in the opposite sill to hold the rollers transversely inclined as shown in Figure 3.

Thegravity mold conveyor machine forms part of a foundry mold pouring system, and one or more of such machines may be installed in a foundry pouring station room. The molds to-be poured are first prepared in any of the usual ways. Each of said molds, of the type illustrated in the drawings, is of the two-part flask variety, consisting of a base or bottom board 5 upon which is removably supported a flask comprising a wooden or iron drag 6 and a cope I each of which is provided with end handles 8. The mold flask containsthe mold sand in which the mold cavity is formed to receive the molten metal which is poured into the mold sprue, or ingate 9 to enter the mold cavity and form the desired casting.

Located adjacent the high or receiving end of the gravity mold conveyor machine, is a mold forming station in which the molds are formed. The formed molds are placed upon the conveyor rollers 4 and are permitted to travel by gravity longitudinally along the pouring machine into a predetermined or selected position to register with one of a plurality of mold clamping units mounted on the machine frame in spaced relationship, depending upon the width of the molds which are to be poured.

The pouring machine unit thus includes a gravity mold conveyor unit equipped with a plurality of mold clamping units to facilitate the rapid and convenient clamping of a plurality of formed molds in spaced position on the conveyor ready to have molten metal poured into the mold sprues or ingates to fill the mold cavities for the formation of castings.

Each of the mold clamping units comprises a channel iron bracket consisting of a mounting base H) which projects transversely through the machine frame and is rigidly secured by belts or other suitable fastening means to the bottom flanges of the frame sills I as clearly illustrated .in Figure 3. The channel iron is bent upwardly to form a supporting arm I I which has the upper .-end bent inwardly to form an upwardly inclined lclamp supporting arm 12.

supported on the under side thereof one end of a clamping arm l3 which normally is held up against the arm l2 by a U-shaped spring M the bight portion of which extends beneath the clamping arm to hold the same in a raised position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. The

top bracket arm l2, at its upper end is cut out to provide a notch or rec'es's 15 in which a control cam I6 is rotatably'mounted bymeansof a pivot bolt H. The periphery of the control cam I6 is positioned to ride on the top surface of the clamping arm [3, and is operable by means of a lever 18. Projecting radially from the periphery of the control earn [6 is a stop rod [9 which in the raised dotted line position of the clamping arm I3 moves into engagement with the top bracket arm 12 to limit the rotation of the cam I6 and the upward swing of the lever 18.

The outer or free end of the clamping arm I3 is formed with a hole .20 through which a pressure plate pin or. stem 2|. loosely projects. The upper projecting end portion of the pressure plate stem 2| is formed with a diametric opening for the receptionof acotter pin or key 22. Rigidly secured on the lower end of the stem 2| is a mold pressure plate 23 having reinforcing ribs on the top thereof. I

One end of thepressure plate 23 is formed with a notch or opening 24 to afford access to the sprue or ingate 9 to permit molten metal to be poured and enter the moldcavity for the formation of a metal casting. The pressure plate 23 may be large enough to rest upon the top of the mold flask cope I, to apply pressure thereon and to hold themold sand in proper place against disruption during a metal pouring operation. If desired, however, the pressure plate 23 may be smaller than the moldcope, as shown in Figure 4,

to permit the pressure plate to-rest directly upon the top surface of the mold sand to hold the same in place against disruption during a mold pouring operation.

In order to permit a predetermined pressureto be applied to the mold and by the mold clamping mechanism,='a coiled compensating spring 25 is engaged around the-pressure plate stem 2| between the clamping arm 1 3 and the pressure plate 23. The hole 20 in the clamping arm I3 is larger than the stem 2| to allow the'plateto adjust itself to the top of the mold or the top of the mold sand in the mold, depending upon the size of the pressure plate. The spring 25' is a compression spring and is designed to have a compression strength equal-to the amount of pressure desired to be exerted against the top of the mold or on the mold sand. 7 r

The gravity roller conveyor, forming part of the mold pouring system, is equipped with as many mold clamp units as needed for the number of molds to be poured at one time. The formed molds are placed on the high or receiving end of the conveyorandrest upon the rollersl. The molds are thuspermitted to be easily advanced by gravity downwardly on the conveyor mechanisms until the molds reach stations registering with the mold clamping units. As the molds are advanced into place the clamping plates 23 are all in their raised positions, as illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 3. It is now only necessary to swing the clamping levers l8 forward and downwardly from the dotted line position shown in Figure 3 into the full line position thereto cause lowering ofthe clamping arms l3 to- The clamp Supporting arm l2 has pivotally gether with the respective clamping plates 23..

The plates, due to their novel mounting, are permitted to adjust themselves to the top surfaces of the mold sand in the respective mold flasks leaving the mold sprues or ingates accessible through the plate openings or recesses 24. When the clamping levers are pulled down enough pressure is applied to the levers to start the springs 25 compressing. As the springs 25 are designed to compress at selected pressures the operator knows that when the springs start to compress that the corrected pressures are being applied to the molds, making them ready for pouring.

The operator now pours the molten metal into the mold sprues or ingates 9, permittin the metal to fill the mold cavities to form the desired castings.

With the predetermined pressures applied to the sand in the mold flasks, the sand is held in place and disrupting of the mold sand is thus obviated.

After the pouring of a series of clamped molds on the gravity conveyor the molds are successively released, starting at the lower end of the conveyor mechanism. The lever N3 of the first mold clamping unit as thrown upwardly, thereby releasing the clamping plate 23 and permitting the spring 14 to swing the clamping arm I3 and the plate 23 upwardly to release the mold. The poured mold is thus permitted to travel along by gravity over the rotating rollers to be discharged off of the lower end of the conveyor mechanism as shown in Figures 1 and 2, into the shake-out box 26 upon the grate bars therein. The mold flask cope and drag are removed from the sand mold, which is shaken from the mold bottom board 5 and is broken up. The mold sand is shaken down to pass through screens in the shake-out box 26 leaving the casting which may be easily removed. The poured molds are thus successively released and advanced by gravity into the shake-out zone to permit dismemberment of the mold flasks and shaking out of the sand leaving the formed castings in the shake-out box.

If desired the channel iron mold clamping brackets may be made adjustable to be used with molds of various thickness. Figure 5 illustrates a modified form of adjustable clamping bracket comprising a lower bracket section 2! having slidably engaged therewith an upper bracket section 28 which carries bolts 29 which engage through a slot 30 in the lower bracket section 21, so that when the bolts are loosened the upper bracket section 28 may be raised or lowered to adjust the clamping unit to a mold of a particular size or height.

It will thus be noted that a convenient and easily operable foundry mold clamping system is provided for the clamping of prepared molds by spring controlled cam operated clamping plates,

6 thereby eliminating the manual handling and placing of mold weights.

Various details of construction may be varied through a wide range, without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is therefore not the purpose to limit the invention, otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a clamping device for applying pressure to the top of a foundry mold, a clamping member adapted to be positioned on the top of the mold and having an upstanding stem portion, a resilient member disposed around said stem substantially centrally on said clamping member, a clamping arm havin an aperture for receiving the stem in universally pivoting relation and having an outer end in operable contact with said resilient member, and a cam means for locking said clamping arm and said clamping member down on the mold against the resistance of said resilient member, said resilient member being removably disposed on said clamping member for adjustment purposes.

2. In a clamping device for applying pressure to the top of a mold, a support member, a clamping arm pivotally mounted on said support member having an aperture therein substantially over the mold, a clamping plate suspended from said clamping arm for positioning on the top of the mold and having a stem portion freely disposed in the aperture of said arm for universal pivoting in relation thereto and a spring positioned about said stem between said clamping arm and said clamping plate for transmitting pressure to the top of said mold, the positioning of the clamping plate on the mold being automatically adjusted by adjusting movement of the stem in the aperture.

GEORGE W. FULLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 781,356 Peelman Jan. 31, 1905 1,339,133 Prince May 4, 1920 1,347,552 Prince July 27, 1920 1,421,305 Prince June 27, 1922 1,801,574 Schuldt Apr. 21, 1931 2,154,967 Wurster Apr. 18, 1939 2,347,013 Weyhing Apr. 18, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 566,018 France Nov. 15, 1923 

